Andy Cooke, HM chief inspector of constabulary, has risen through the ranks to become one of Britain's most senior policemen. With over three decades of experience, including serving as chief constable of Merseyside Police, Cooke now oversees the inspection of all police forces in the country.
In a recent interview, Cooke addressed the numerous challenges facing UK law enforcement. The summer of 2024 saw violent riots across the country, with over 50 officers injured in Southport alone. Cooke described the violence as "unacceptable" and "absolutely shocking," emphasizing that "the police are not the enemy of the people, they are part of the community."
The riots, fueled by misinformation and far-right activism, led to over 1,200 arrests and nearly 800 charges. However, this influx of offenders has exacerbated an ongoing prison crisis. Cooke labeled the entire criminal justice system as "dysfunctional," stating, "None of the organizations can hold their head up and say: 'We're doing all we can'."
Cooke addressed concerns about "two-tier policing," a claim that gained traction after former Home Secretary Suella Braverman criticized the Metropolitan Police's handling of pro-Palestinian protesters. While insisting that two-tier policing is "not a reality," Cooke acknowledged that "forces need to be very careful they don't give the perception that there's two-tier policing in what they say or how they do things."
On the issue of police impartiality, Cooke stated, "Policing has got to police the Left and the Right and other interest groups in exactly the same way, and that's without fear or favour. So policing shouldn't take sides."
Public trust in the police has been severely damaged by recent scandals and perceived ineffectiveness. Cooke believes that beyond high-profile cases, trust has eroded because "communities don't necessarily feel the police can address the criminality and anti-social behaviour they see on the streets every day."
The impact of austerity measures on policing has been significant. Cooke noted that during austerity, forces moved away from neighborhood policing, which he considers "the bedrock of British policing." He also criticized the current police funding formula as "not fit for purpose," leading to inequalities in resource allocation across different regions.
"It's not been looked at again for far too many years – the last government said that they would review it. They didn't, which means that some of the rich forces are getting richer, and some of the poor forces are getting poorer."
Looking to the future, Cooke expects significant changes in policing and calls for increased funding and a royal commission on criminal justice. He remains committed to influencing the direction of policing "in the right way" and addressing the systemic issues facing law enforcement in the UK.
As the UK's top police inspector, Cooke's insights provide a valuable perspective on the challenges and potential solutions for improving the country's law enforcement and criminal justice system.